Devonshire Bakery and Crowther's Cake Studio

The exterior of Ti Amo jewellery

Sarah Edwards of Ti Amo

Butcher and Barlow LLP

Alison Balmer at Bella Emblisi at Lady Heyes Craft Centre

A town that combines the charms of a village style of life with easy connections to the big city is always going to be a sought-after location and Frodsham is no exception.

Of course, who wouldn’t wish to live and work in a place that boasts delightfully varied architecture and a buzzing atmosphere?

There’s something for everyone to enjoy here whether it is mooching around the specialist small businesses and shops, or enjoying a drink in a half-timbered inn or lunch in a contemporary bar.

One attraction, close to the town centre is the Lady Heyes Crafts and Antiques Centre, a complex of individual buildings where visitors can indulge in a really unusual shopping experience. The centre used to be a farm dating back several hundred years and is now a lovely place to spend a couple of hours, browsing, maybe having a light lunch or a coffee and soaking up the views.

Frodsham’s long illustrious history shows in its varied architecture, home to some delightful independent shops selling everything from ladies’ fashions to giftware. It also has a latter-day renown as the birthplace of Take That’s Gary Barlow. He isn’t the only celebrity associated with the town. Those who recall fondly the TV programme Tiswas are sure to want to visit Bob Carolgees’ candle shop at Lady Heyes too.

Another notable resident was William Charles Cotton who introduced beekeeping to New Zealand in the 19th century and who is the inspiration behind the town’s regalia which incorporates (what else?) a bee.

Frodsham was once a medieval borough and port belonging to the Earls of Chester, playing a vital role in the export of Cheshire salt. The site of the local manor house was Castle Park, now an arts centre, home to three galleries, craft units, coffee shop and workshop spaces. It is used for a range of events, workshops and classes for people of all ages.

About Frodsham

The literal translation of the old English would give the personal name of Frod or an old spelling of Ford, and ham which means a village or homestead; hence Frod’s village or the Village on the Ford (Ford-ham). However, an alternative, more obscure etymology exists which suggests the name means ‘promontory into marsh’, which would make sense considering that Frodsham had a promontory castle very close to marshland.

Where is Frodsham?

It’s approximately three miles south of Runcorn, 16 miles south of Liverpool, and 28 miles southwest of Manchester. The River Weaver runs to its northeast and on the west it overlooks the estuary of the River Mersey. The A56 road and the Chester–Manchester railway line passes through the town, and the M56 motorway passes to the northwest.